In addition to forests and fossil hunting on the beach, it includes three historic houses (plus outbuildings to each) as well as an open-air agricultural and forestry museum with seasonally appropriate events.

As an Ancient Planter, a settler who had lived at the Jamestown settlement for 10 years, Captain William Powell was granted the 750-acre Chippokes Plantation tract in 1619 by the Virginia Company.

When George Powell died childless in his early twenties, the plantation was purchased, sold to the Osburne family, and repurchased by Governor William Berkeley around the time of Bacon's Rebellion.

Albert Carroll Jones, a wealthy 22-year-old from nearby Isle of Wight County, first lived at Chippokes in the circa 1830 River House, built as a summer residence by previous owner Charles Osborne.

After his first wife, Anne Baskerville Jones, died in 1850, Albert began constructing a grand Italianate manor, the Jones-Stewart Mansion.

Local tradition claims that this farm was spared by both Federal and Confederate troops who battled and raided in the area (and destroyed other plantations), because Jones provided those valued beverages to both sides.

As a State Park, Chippokes offers modern recreational facilities, a swimming pool, visitor center, trails, camping, and cabin rentals.

Educational displays include reconstructions of historic farmhouse interiors, workshops of rural craftspeople, and traditional agricultural equipment.

Living exhibits include heritage breed animals and a Cultural Garden, both of which interpret agricultural components of Chippokes Plantation's 400-year history.